Rail car



G. A. KUHLER ET AL Sept. 30, 1952 RAIL CAR Filed Deo.

6 Sheets-Sheet l O. A. KUHLER El' AL Sept. 30, 1952 RAIL CAR e sheets-sheet 2 Filed Dec. 30, 1947 man INVENTRS 0170 A. Hull/er 9L BY William E. Burne f1' Sept. 30, 1952 o. A. KUHLER x-:TAL 2,612,121

'RAIL CAR Filed Dec. so, 1947 e sheets-sheet 5 m Hlm! TUI Uffa A. Hubr 9i I i F I E 5 wf//im E. Bum# Afro/wn.'

Sepf. 30, 1952 o. `A. KUHLER 1:1-r Al.

RAIL' CAR 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. .'50, 1947 ATTORNEY.

w Sept 30, 1952 o. A. KUHLER ETAL 2,612I'21 RAIL CAR Filed Dec. 30, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 30, 1952 RAIL CAR Otto A. Kuhler, Blauvelt, N. Y., and William E. Burnett, Montclair, N. J., assignors to American Car and Foundry Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 30, 1947, Serial No. 794,674

(Cl. 10S- 340) 18 Claims. 1

This -invention relates to rail cars and more particularly to sleeping car framing.

Rail cars are usually provided with a center sill that forms the backbone for the major portion of the car framing. Heretofore the center sill employed in commercial production of rail cars has been continuous and has taken all of the fore and aft compression forces to which the car is subjected. Consequently, it has been necessary to make the center sill heavy and strong in order to withstand these forces and to perform the function of carrying the load of the car.

It is an object of this invention to provide a light weight framing for a sleeping car in which the center sill weight is materially less than that usually employed.

Another object of my invention is to eliminate a central portion of the usual continuous center sill and to utilize in place thereof necessary elements of the framing structure including an aisle base structure, aisle walls and the roof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a two-deck sleeping car with framing elements forming a connecting chordal structure between underframe and structures capable of resisting all longitudinal compression forces.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art from a study of the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a two-deck sleeping car incorporating the invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sleeping car taken on line 2-2 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the sleeping car taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the lower deck of the sleeping car taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the sleeping car taken on line 5-5vof Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional View of one of the rooms in the upper deck of the sleeping car taken on line 6 5 of Figure 5.

Figure 'l is a fragmentary perspective view of the car framing.

Figure 8 is another fragmentary perspective view of the car framing.

A double deck sleeping car incorporating the invention is indicated-generally by numeral I0 andhas at each end a conventional truck structure II carrying suitably mounted wheels I2. Immediately above the truck structures at each end'of the car is arranged' underframe end structures which include" bolster means and a center sill. Such underframe end'struc'tures are similar and the same numerals will be used for similar parts thereof as .the description proceeds.

The center sill of such structure is of builtup box formation and includes a pair of inverted sheet metal channels I4' and I5. telescopically assembled and suitably secured'together by welding or other similar means. The lower center sill channel has outwardly extending flanges l5 at its lower ends across which a bottom .plate I'I extends and is secured. y

Each bolster means includes transversely extending web members I8l on each side of the center sill and spacedflongitudinally of the car, plate I9 extending under the center sill, top plate 26 extending overthe center sill and a bottom plate 20. The web members are welded at` their inner ends to the center sill and along their top and bottom edges to plates I9 and 26, such plates also being welded at their inner ends to the center sill.

The center sill projects beyond the front and rear of the bolster means and carries the other portions of the end underframe structure. Longitudinally extending side frame channels 22 have one end welded between plates I9 and 26 outside of the end bolster web member and transverse channel frame members 23 are welded at their ends to the channelsv22 vand the center sill. Z-frame members 24 extending longitudinally of the car are welded at their ends to frame members 23 and the adjacent bolster web I8 and similar members 24 extend between frame members 23 and are welded thereto at their ends.

The underframe structure extending from the bolster structures toward the middle of the car consists of the center sill, diagonally extending frame members 25, welded at one end tothe cen ter sill, and plate 21 extending across the memf bers 25 and the center sill. Instead of forming plates 25 and 21 separately they could be formed of a single sheet'of material. The frame members 25, adjacent the bolster structures at op4 posite ends of the car, extend from thev sides of beyond the most centrally located truck wheels and the medial portion of the framing therebetween is underslung so that the flooring for the lower deck of the car will lie a short distance above the rails thereby providing suii'cient vertical dimension to accommodate two decks while remaining, within. height limits allowable inthetion of the center sill. As aresult, the heavy weight of the intermediate portion oi'v thecenter sill is eliminated without sacrificing longitudinal strength of rigidity required to absorb fore and aft compression forces to which the car is subjected when in use.

A channel shaped sheet metal structure having a medial underslung portion forms the base portion ofV a lower center aisle and extends longitudinally of the car between the end underframe structures; The end.` portions 3l of the structureare supported by and secured on plates 26k and 21 and are joined to a lower horizontal base portion Bil-by angularly'disposed portions 32. The baseportion30, ther angularly extending portions 32 and the'end portions 3l are suitably securedV together, as by welding, or'can be formed as a single unit. Aisle walls 33'y extend vertically along each upturned side flange ofthe channel structure and are secured theretor at. their lower ends by suitable means, such as' welding. These aisle walls continue upwardly andare secured to the roof` structure.. The roof frame structure consists of a plurality ofcarlines 34 and purlines 35. Channel members 3B to which the upper ends of the aisle'walls are secured, extend longitudinally of the car below the two central purlines and are welded thereto.

An upper inverted channel shaped structure 45 having a bottom closure-plate-4B extends longitudinally of the car above the lower aisle base structure and forms the upper aisle base; The aisle walls 33- are weldedl or otherwise fixed to the sides of the upper aisle base structure. Diagonal supporting and brace members 39.' extend between the ilanges of sections 3| and 32 of the lower aisle base structureV and the upper aisle base structure outside of the aisle panels and are welded to the panels and the sides of the aisle base structures. Similar members 59 extend'outside of the-aisle panels 3'3'between' the anges of section 30 of the lower aisle-base structure and the upper aisle base structure and they are welded to the panelsand the sides of rthe structures. Diagonal brace members 59 extend outside of panels 33 Ibetween the upper aisle base structure and the roof structure, such membersv being'welded to the panels 33 and having their lower ends welded onangle brackets 41 fixed to and extending longitudinally of the aisle walls and their upper ends fixed to channels 36. These brace members 39, 59 and 59." stiiienthe panels, support the aisle` base structuresV and distribute longitudinal compression forces. They are inclined with their base ends closer to the adjacent end of the car than their top ends. Thus; such members on each side of the car center are inclined oppositely. s

The side framing of theY car consists of sills 28, longitudinally extending angle members 31 and vertically extending members 38 joined together in a suitable manner.

Inclined brace members extend transversely in the lower section of the car between the aisle walls and the side frames and are secured at their upper ends to one of the longitudinally extending framing members 31 and at their lower ends to channel members 40 secured to the sides of the aisle base structure 3U against the aisle panels. The lower side sillfmembers 31 lie spaced from and parallel yto members Maand transverse inverted channel members 4l extend therebetween to provide a support for corrugated side flooring 42, such flooring also resting on the top flanges of the lower members 31 and members 40 and cross members 4l. Angle irons 43 extend `longitudinally of the car and are secured to the inside face of4 the flanges of the aisle base structure Afor the purpose of supporting a corrugated flooring 44. It will be seen that the aisle base structure 30 entirely supports the aisle iiooring 44 therebetween and are secured thereto;

andsupports one edge of the iioorings 42 along the outside of the aisle: partition walls. Floorings 42 and 44 are preferablyV welded into xed relation with the associatedy elements and provide the flooring for the lower deck.

Brace members. 1I extend: transversely of' the spaces between the aisle walls and the side frames and are weldedat their lower ends tothe aisle panels and at their upper ends to purlines 35 adjacent the sides of the car. Anglerbrackets 4l. are secured alongv the aisle walls, in a. planey with the upper aisle basestructures and tovl longitudinal side frame members 31.: Upper deck floorings 48 extend longitudinally of the-car sections between each aislewall and.v car sideand are supported on suchy angle brackets'41 and transverse frame members 99 between side. frame members 31 and the sides of upper aisle base structuref4-5i The end portions of the aisle basestructure 45 overlie bolster plate 26 and steps 48 extend between plates 26 and the endsof such aisle base structure. The steps are formed vof sheet metal and the sides are suitably 'detachably Securedv to Athe adjacent aisle walls 33.

vThe longitudinal spaces between the center aisle base structures and the side framing in each deck of the car are divided into rooms by transversely extendingl panels 49; The aisle panels may extend from the floor of the lower deck to the roof as a single sheet-or they may be divided horizontally so` that their adjacent ends are secured to thek aisle base structure 45. These* panels are preferably divided longitudinally: so thatVl there is one Vsection for each of the rooms .andthe-adjacent edges of such panel sections are anged', as indicated at 50, and fixed together by suitable means such as welding. The aisle panel section for each room is cut out to providev a doorway 5l and a slidable door 52 is associated'witheachfdoorway. The floors 48 of the upper deck sections provide a ceiling for the rooms on the lowerdeck and a ceiling 53 is applied to theV roof structure to` extend over the upper deck roomsv and over the center aisle. A suitable outer coverV 54` extends over the roof and vsides of the'car. and one end of the car has entrance doors 55. The-rooms are provided with inside side wall panelsI 13 cut out to receive window frames 14fand the outside wall is cutout for the same purpose. Windows 15 are mounted between the4 frames 14 and side frame members 31 and 38. The transverse panelsV 49 at the ends of adjacent roomsare spacedv and brace members 1,0 and 1| extend Brace members' 39, 59 and 59' are suitablysecuredto and'support aisle panels 33. Between the side frame members 38 at adjacent ends of the windows are. x'ed longitudinally extending angle members |y and thel inside sidewallpanels for the rooms are' secured to such angle members-and; to spacer members 18"` between vthe adjacentpanels49. e i,y

vThe arrangement is such that the upper deck will contain rooms 16 thefull length ofthe upper aislestructure and adjacent the end rooms 16 there willbe a room 11yon opposite sides of one end section of the car and opposite rooms 86 and 81 at the; other end ofthe car. Rooms 11, 96 andi 81 are above the end portions or the underframing. AThe rooms 18 in the lower decl:l will terminate substantially at the ends of the lower level portion vof the lower channel structure. Accessisv had to the upper deck rooms from aisle base structure45 to the ends of which access is had by steps 48 leading on to the bolster plate. The space ina lower deck room 19 and in an upper deck room`80 thereabove is utilized-to receive-` steps 56 by means of which entrance is had between Athe upper l 'aisle and the lowerl aisle. Lower room Bll adjacent room 19 receive a transverse partition 51 providing a hallwayleading to steps .-56 and as such partition takes up a. part ofthe-'space in room 8|. as a storage room.` Within the stairway rooms 19 and l89 is ay stepr enclosure wall 58k providing storage spaces 84 accessible from the'aisles. The storage spaces -82 beneath the upper aisle ends may be entered from `the ends of the lower aisle portion 30 through doors 60 and access can also be had thereto by removing steps 48. y

Room 86 will accommodate the porter and room 81 is utilized as a baggage or storage space. Room 33 `next to the porters room serves as a general toiletiand storagespace. The other rooms except 19, 8U and 8l are v bedrooms and on one transverse wall-.of each is mounted a medicine cabinet- Bland folding washbasin 62. Each bedroom also contains a hopper 63, seat 65, bed 64 mounted for storage on its side adjacent the outside wall and movable to a horizontal prone positionand clothes closet 96*- A mounting for such bed forms the subject matter of application Serial.

Number 750,788, iiled May 27, 1947.

Doors 88 at the end of thecenter aisle on the end underframe structures are slidable in bulkheads 8.9. Ceilings |90 are secured between the top portions of panels 33 above the upper aisle,

the bottom of pan 45 serving as the ceiling for ythe lower-aisle. Adjacent the aisle panel atone Yend of` each room is an interior longitudinally extending wall 9i) secured at one end to an upright channel member 9i which channel is also secured to the partitions 49 and panel 33. Walls 99 extend parallel with the aisle panels adjacent the lower portion of frame members 59 and 59' and provide spaces into which doors 52 can slide toopen theentrance to the rooms.A Trim 92 is provided onwalls 33 and 9U on one side and at the top vof the door opening for each bedroom and trim .93 isprovided on panels 33 at the other side of such sliding door openings. Trims 93 have a recess 94 into whichY a rubber door bead 95 i'lts when the doors 52A are closed.

There is a brace member 1U betweeneach of thelowerrooms and a brace member 1l between veach `of the upper rooms.. Except for rooms 11, 86 and 81 there is a brace member 59 on the panel 33 along each pair of lower rooms and a brace member 59' on the panel 33 along each pair of upper rooms.

The framing is such that a chordal structureis vformed betweenfthe end structures for resisting` Room 8| is utilized longitudinal compression forces towhic'h the car is subjected. In'thischo'rdal structure the lower aislebase structure is the base'or backbone from which; the longitudinal compression forces are distributedbyframe members 39 and 59 and aisle panels 33 tothea upper aisle .base structure from which theyr are'further distributed to the roof structure through frame members 59' and aisle panelsv33.l K''Ihe'com'pressioniorc'es are further distributed to the side frame members from the end structures by frame members25. Angle irons 43 and channeled!) and vthe floors 42 and 44, Securedfthereon also assist'the 4 lower aisle base structure in resisting compressive forces and distribute them to the side frame members. Such structure is ,essential 'to the car framing and arranged to adequately withstand the compression forces lusually yreceived by a continuous center slllstructur.Y Framing members 10 and 1l serve tov prevent twisting or bending of the side wall structurel which 'is supported fromthe aisle base structures intermediate the vend underframe structures. v

The -inventionkmay be modified in various' respects as'will voccur to those skilled in the .art and the exclusive'use of all modiiications'` as come `within'the scopeof the'appended claims is conv templated.

. What vis/claiined is: e 1.,In 'a vrail car, underframe end structures including a center sill and bolster means, a roof structure, a" longitudinally extending medial channel shaped aisle base structurel having a medial underslung portion and its ends :fixed on the end structures,l and aisle panel means secured to theupstanding sides of said channel shaped structure and to the roof structure.

2. In a rail car, end structures lincluding bolster means andy a center sill, a longitudinally extending channnel shaped aisle base structure having a medial underslung portion and ends overlying and secured on said--end structures,Y

side frame membersspaced from each'side of said channel structure, and frame. members secured at one end to the sides of said channel structure and at the otherL end to 4the adjacent side frame member. n e

3. In a two-,deck rail car, underframe end structures including a center vsill andbolster means, a roof structure, a longitudinally extendingv lunderslung channel aisle base structure having' its ends iixed on the end structures and upper inverted channel aisle base structure coextensive with the lower aisle base structure, and aisle panels secured to the sidesvof saidfaisle basestructures and said roof structure.

4. In a rail car, underf-rame end structures each including bolster means and a'center sill, a longitudinally extending channel shaped aisle lbase structure 'having a medial underslung porvtion and its ends secured on said end structures,

a channel shaped aisle base structure spaced above the underslung structure forming an upper deck.center aisle base, and frame members secured between the adjacent sides of said aisle .base structures.

.tensive therewith, said upper structure forming 75.

an upperv deckl center aisle base,y frame. members between the aisle base-structures and secured-'to the sides thereof, yframe members secured -between thev upper aisle base structure and the roof., said frame members extending at an angle longitudinally of the car with-'the base 'portion of the members on each side of' the' center of the car being disposed nearest the adjacent car end.

6. In a rail c ar, underframe end structures including a bolster'and a'center sill, a longitudinally extending channel shaped structure having its ends secured on said end structures and forming a lower deck center aisle base, an upper channel shaped structure spaced above the underslung pan forming an upper deck center aisle base, frame membersextending between and iixed to the sides ofA said aisle base structures, 'said frame members extending at lan angle with the top portions'from the Ycenter of the car to each end sloping upwardly vtoward-the adjacent car end, and panels secured to the sides of the aisle base structures and the aisle faces of the frame members. y

'7. In a rail car, an underframe end structure comprising bolster means, a center sill attached to the bolster means and projecting beyond each side thereof, transverse frame members adjacent the inner side of the bolster means and extending diagonally and outwardly from the `Icenter sill sides in a direction toward'thelongitudinal central portion of the car, transverse-"frame members attached to those portions Aof thecenter sill that project beyond the outer side""of` 'the bolster means', and longitudinally'"extending-car side frame meansfattaclfied tothe'l .ter end's'o'f the diagonal and transverse 'members v' 8. In a two-deck rali car, a -roofstructure a channeljshaped upper `aisle basef'jstructure lextending longitudinally'of the, ?`a1"l,^^ 'a'nd'A jirame members securedk Aat their lowerlen'ds'tothe sides of the upper aisle base structure 1' and at4 'their upper ends to thereof Astructure ltlierealbove, said fram'emember's at each' side of the center of the car extending upwardly--yat an -angle `Vaway from their adjacentcarenti.'1 'j l 9. In a two-'deck rail'ca'r', a roof structurean upper aisle basestiucture extending longitudinally of the car, a lower aisle jbase structure beneath the upper aisle structureisupporting,members secured at their "ends tothe sides o the aisle base structures, aisle 4panels secured to the aisle base structuresrand the `supportng'meinbers, and Vsupporting members securedjat-'one end to the sides of the -uppervaisle'b'ase structure andto the roof structure'thereabove, said-:supporting members at eachside oithe A'centerv ofthe car extending at an angle with the ibase' portions thereof on each side-fof the centerf of thecar being closer to--the adjacent car Vend 'than are the top portionsof said members. f' '-1 '10. In a rail car, lunder-frame end uctures including a center sill and bols'te'me'a ,favroof structure',V a longitudinally extendingffchannel shaped aisle base -fstructu're havingf-a-medial underslung portion v'and ends x'ed'f'onth end structures, an upper aisle basestiuctureiabove the lower aisle base structure, vertically-'extending' supporting' membersv secured -betvveen the sides of said aisle base structursfcar framefsi'de members, v and transverse trame membersV extending outwardly 'from -thev sides of I,the Vaislfef'base structures tof the adjacent Aiside frame members.

11.v In a rail car, underframe end structures including a center sill and bolsterjmeansjaroof structure, a,k longitudinallysv extending' channel shapedv aisle base strcture-havinga 'medial im- 8 der'slung'jportion and ends yfixed' on the end structuresfaislefpanelssecuredatftheir base to the ding "an'ges' of said aisle base structure and at-"their'tops'to the roof structure, an upper aisle channel shaped base structure over the lower aisle ba'se'jstructure 'to which the aisle panels are s'ecured,`s'upporting members betweenV the 'sidesfoff-the'upper vaisle base structure andi the roof,l saidf supporting "members being secured' to tl'ie 'panels,ffa'pluralityv -of .longitudinally ex'- tendingsuperposed side V'frame members, transverse brace members extending from the portions ofthe-:panels adjacent the aisle base structure toj'jtlie adj a'cent side iframe vmember thereabove. andl transverse panels on each side of said Vtrans- 'verseY brace 'members forming walls dividing the spacesatf'each side ofthe aisle base :structures intorc'icxri's;vvrr y v n i12: In la'ral car, 'underirame end `structures includinglafc'entery silli and bolster .meansra 'channel' `shaped aisle base Vstructure extending longitudinallyof theY car having a medial 'underslung' portion" and'Y fthe ends .l mounted on and secured 'to the endg structures, side framef membersflongfitudinally coextensive with Ysaid aisle base structureY and -the inner fendportion ofi the endstructures tofwhich they are secured, and 'transverseeframe members connecting the sides ofthe 'aisle-base structure with the `longitudinally extending-side f-rar'nel members, said .trans- .'vers'e'frame members providing side flooring suplports.

,113. In a rail car, 'side frame structures', underfranie "end Structures including a center sill, diagonallyextending underframe members con- 'necting the vsill sides with the side frame structures, a` channel shaped aisle base structure havying a'medial underslung portion and ends secured on the underfra'me structures, frame mem- "bers connecting the sides of the channel shaped 'aisle base structure with the adjacent side frame structures,v and aisle panels secured to the sidesl of said aisle base structure. '14. In a rail car, longitudinally spaced underframe structures including a `center sill and a bolster, an aisle base structure having an under- Vslung medial portion and ends secured on the underframe'end structures, supporting members xe'd to the outside portions of said base structure, Vlongitudinally extending side frame members, supporting members 'fixed to said longitudinal members opposite the supporting members on the base structure, iiooring carried by the adjacent supporting members on `the base structure and longitudinal side 'frame members, rand aisle panels secured at their base to the sidesof the .aisle structure.

1 5; In a rail car, vunderframe end structures, a channel shaped loweraisle base structure between th'eend'structures and having its ends mounted on said end structures, an upper aisle base structure spaced above the lower aisle base structure, Vsupportingrneans between the aisle base Astructures, panels secured to the sides of the aisle base structures, and steps between the panels vleading from the underframe end structures and the ends 'of the upper aisle base structure. i, l16. In a two-deck `rail car framing, underfframe end structures, a channel shaped aisle'base 'structure having a medial underslung portion and endsl secured on the I'end structures, an upper aisle Vbase structure coextensive with the lower` aisle base structure, supporting means rsecured vvjbetwe'en'the sides of the aisle base structures, longitudinally extending yside frame members adjacent aisle base structure sides, iiooring mountedl on and secured to the adjacent supporting means on said base structure and said side frame members, and aisle panels secured to the sides of said aisle base structures and said supporting means.

17. In a two-deck rail car framing, underframe end structures, a lower channel shaped aisle base structure having an underslung medial portion and ends secured on the end structures, an upper channel shaped aisle base structure coextensive with the lower base structure, supporting means between the'base structures, supporting means secured to the sides of the upper aisle base structure, longitudinally extending side frame members parallel with the flanges of said upper base structure, supporting means fixed to said longitudinally extending side frame members, transverse braces secured between the sides of said upper base structure and the longitudinally extending side frame members, and flooring mounted on'the transverse braces and the supporting means on the base structure sides and the longitudinally extending frame members.

18. In a rail car framing, longitudinally spaced underframe end structures, a channel shaped aisle base structure having its ends secured on said underframe end structures, aisle panels secured to the iianges of said base structure, side wally REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patentnV UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 837,841 Jerdone Dec. 4, 1906 '1,016,165 Magor Jan. 30, 1912 1,673,682 Hulse June l2, 1928 2,011,076 Prescott Aug. 13, 1935 Y 2,143,827 Demarest Jan. 10, 1939 2,208,679 McCarroll July 23, 1940 2,245,390 Dean June 10,1941 2,366,709 Dean J an. 9, 1945 

